Holiday-themed TV episodes can be a mixed bag. Sometimes they’re heartwarming, sometimes they’re a stocking full of saccharine clichés. So, where does NBC’s “St. Denis Medical” fall on this spectrum with its upcoming festive installment, “Ho-ho-hollo”? If the premise is any indication, it could be a decent dose of both.
“St. Denis Medical” typically focuses its lens on the day-to-day struggles of an underfunded Oregon hospital, a setting ripe for both absurd humor and poignant moments. The holiday season, it seems, is no exception. This time around, the staff isn’t just battling the usual bureaucratic headaches and medical mysteries; they’re facing them with a side of tinsel and mistletoe.
Doctors Alex (Allison Tolman) and Ron (David Alan Grier) are tasked with a particularly baffling case. While their patient’s symptoms scream holiday cheer, something more complicated seems to be at play. It is a safe bet this isn’t just a case of too much eggnog. Meanwhile, Joyce (Wendi McLendon-Covey) and Serena (Kahyun Kim) are embracing the digital age, attempting to boost the hospital’s online presence. Because what says “quality medical care” like a viral TikTok trend?
Elsewhere, Bruce (Josh Lawson) and Matt (Mekki Leeper) encounter a Santa Claus in need of their medical expertise. Whether this involves a rogue reindeer or a chimney-related injury, it’s bound to be a scenario only “St. Denis Medical” could conjure.
So, will “Ho-ho-hollo” deliver a healthy dose of holiday cheer or flatline under the weight of festive tropes? Given the show’s track record for finding humor in the mundane, it has the potential to be a surprisingly enjoyable yuletide diversion. Tune in Tuesday, December 17 at 8:00 PM on NBC to find out.
